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January 30th, 2013
Tainted Dreams Creator Sonia Blangiardo: “I Was Struck By The Loss Of This Unique Art Form That Had Been Integral To NYC!” Casts RHONJ Dina Manzo in Role!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Daytime Emmy winning director Sonia Blangiardo (GH, OLTL, AMC, ATWT) has been hard at work on her first series that takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of a soap opera, Tainted Dreams!

The director created Tainted Dreams after the last of the NYC-based soap operas, One Life to Live, shut down production in November of last year. Sonia related to Celebuzz: “I was struck by the loss of this unique art form that had been such an integral part of NYC for decades. I wanted to somehow capture my own two decades working behind the scenes of three different NYC-based soaps.” And that is exactly what Blangiardo has set out to do with her upcoming project that begins production this May!

In addition, today Tainted Dreams added reality star, Dina Manzo (pictured right) from The Real Housewives of New Jersey to the cast in the role of Allessandra DiGiacomo. Blangiardo explains the casting decision, “I created the role of Alessandra with Dina Manzo in mind, and we are thrilled to have her join our cast.” Allessandra will also have a gay brother on the series played by Anthony Wilkinson. As it turns out, Manzo is also a long time fan of One Life to Live!

So soapers what do you think about Sonia’s comments about the terrible loss for New York and the soap industry there once OLTL, AMC, GL and ATWT were all canceled within a span of three years? And what do you think about Dina Manzo being on Tainted Dreams? Let us know!

Another World was another great soap shot in NYC. Soaps have a lot in common with theater so it made perfect sense that so many soaps were once shot in a city known for it’s theater. I am sure many actors and backstage people like living on the East Coast rather than the West and having soaps in NYC gave them a chance to do that. It was a sad day indeed when soaps left the Big Apple. But now they have AMC and OLTL being shot out East- maybe not as exciting as NYC, but the tradition is still lives on.

Growing up in the NYC area, I was lucky to see lots of plays and musicals. Always got a kick out of seeing daytime drama stars on the stage or knowing about soap actors that were also doing Broadway or off Broadway shows at the same time as their TV shows.
I saw the original Broadway cast of “Grease” which means I saw Ilene Kristen (OLTL/RH) as Patty Simcox.

I just recalled another example. I saw the Sondeim musical “A Little Night Music” with Patricia Elliott, who we all loved as Rene on OLTL. She sang the song “Every Day A Little Death” with Victoria Mallory who played one of the Brooks daughters on Y&R.

I find it funny that just the island of Manhattan with a population of 1,601,948 could not or would not support the soap operas that were such a part of that city.
The new OLTL and AMC will not be filmed bu cast in Manhattan.

That’s an interesting point, Dave. I am sure that some of the casting will be done in New York City and yet the show will be taped in Connecticut – I guess production costs would be a little less there somehow ~

Can’t wait to see Tainted Dreams. Big fan of Dina and I love the soap stars Tainted Dreams is assembling.

I agree with Michael, I live in NJ and it is fun to see soap stars on Broadway. Just saw Michael Park in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and last year saw Tom Pelrey in the show about Judy Garland, both Tom and Michael are great.

it’s odd and counterproductive that she’d cast someone from rhonj bec the real housewives franchises don’t do anything for primetime soaps and especially daytime soaps. the rh franchises are detrimental to daytime and even primetime soaps bec they are effectively the new daytime soaps. reality tv is a threat to the scripted primetime soap operas and especially daytime soap operas bec reality tv is much cheaper to produce. some of the women from real housewives get a lot of press and more of them are household names compared to your average daytime soap opera actors and actresses. compare b&b to rh of atlanta. I quit b&b but when I used to watch the sets were atrocious and the wardrobe was really dull. and these b&b chars are supposed to be very rich fashionistas. how can the b&b clothes and sets compare to labels and the homes on rh of atlanta? there’s no competition.

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